Improvement in toys



W. S. GLOW'.

Toys.

Patented Aug'. 27,1878.

a, [69%jf l@ D) UNITED STATES PATENT QEEIGE.

VVINFIELD S. GLOW, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOYS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,346, dated August27, 1878; application filed February 7, 1878.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, WINFIELD S. CLow, of Allegheny city, in the countyof Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Toys; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in whichm`Figures 1 and 4 are face views of my improved chain, showing `some ofthe iigures which can be formed thereby. Fig. 2 is a face view showingviews upon the chain, illustrating different designs which may be formedupon it; and Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each.

My invention has for its object the providing of an amusing andinstructive toy for children.

It consists in certain features of construction and arrangementhereinafter set forth.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willdescribe it more fully.

In the drawing referred to, A represents my improved chain, which isformed of the strips or cards a, made of pasteboard, wood, leather, orother suitable material.

The strips'a are pivoted or hinged together by means of eyelets, rivets,or other suitable fastening, b, so that the different strips composingthe chain may move freely upon each other.

The cards Iare so pivoted together that one end is above and the otherend below the adjoining cards, thus allowing the chain to be folded, asshown in Iiig. 3, and put in a box or suitable receptacle.

The cards may be made of any size desired; but I find that cards abouttwo inches in length and one-half inch in width arepreferable. The endsof the cards are rounded, or the corners cut oft, to give a neat jointwhen angles are formed by the different cards.

The chain may be made of any number of strips or cards; but I find thata chain composed of fifty cards is the most desirable.

B y this chain many different shapes and iigures may be formed, such asthe letters of the alphabet, numerals, ligures of birdsanimals, andfishes, and an endless variety of ornamental designs, it being possibleto form as many changes as the kaleidoscope and almost any shapes thatcan be imagined.

In a chain composed of lifty cards an innumerable number of differentshapes may be made, it being calculated that a life-time could be spentbefore all the dierent combinations could be made.

Upon both sides of each strip are views of animals, birds, letters,numerals, crystals, and other figures which may be formed by the chain,so that the views will suggest the shapes to the children and enablethem to copy them with the chain.

If desired the names of the dierent forms and designs shown maybeprinted or marked on the cards, for the purpose of teaching the names ofthe figures to the children while they are forming the shapes with thechain. It is thus the source of very great amusement to children, aswell as to older persons, affordil; g employment for hours at a time,and instruetin g them in the shapes and outlines of the differentdesigns into which it may be formed. It also gives to them a moreaccurate idea of the angles and shapes of figures, improving theirminds, and teaching them in an easy and pleasant manner the names andshapes of many dif ferent designs or things.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The toy chain A, composed of strips a, of pasteboard or other suitablematerial, pivoted together, when provided with views or designs markedthereon, illustrating the dierent shapes into which the chain may beformed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said WINFIELD S. GLOW, have hereunto set myhand.

WINFIELD S. CLOVV.

Witnesses:

JAMES I. KAY, It. J. MCGLURF..

